[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The peony is known as the king of all flowers and it is a symbol of prosperity and happiness. Peony is of great ornamental value and a high medicinal and economic value," said Kim Jin-gon, minister-counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China and director of the Korean Cultural Center in China, during the opening ceremony of the Heze Peony International Communication Forum on April 9 in Heze, Shandong province.

"Flowers have a place in the economy and culture," said Kim, and he also expressed hope that the Heze Peony International Communication Forum can promote exchange and cooperation between China and South Korea in the flower sector and promote friendship between the two countries.